Get a load of this everyone: researchers have – for the very first time – recorded a case of spontaneous ejaculation in a wild dolphin. This world premier video (above) shows a male Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin near the island of Mikura in Japan swimming peacefully along when suddenly… well, just watch and see for yourself.

Important facts about this little episode:

1) This dolphin was likely asleep or otherwise drowsy just moments before he ejaculated.

2) The dolphin had not been engaged in any sexual activity before the event occurred. No masturbation, cavorting with females, or socio-sexual behavior with other males. He was resting, suddenly produced an erection, and then BOOM.

3) None of the other dolphins in the group were engaged in sexual behaviors either – everyone seems to have been resting.

This is exactly the same kind of phenomenon we observe in human wet dreams: spontaneous ejaculation in the absence of physical stimulation. It has been observed in other mammals (mice, guinea pigs, cats, etc.), but never before in a dolphin. What’s the function of spontaneous ejaculation? There are three hypotheses: 1) it’s needed to remove excess or abnormal spermatozoa, 2) it’s a kind of sexual display, 3) it has no function, and happens by accident when a sleepy/drowsy brain stops being able to regulate the inhibitory neural control system.

Bottom line: this is a NEW DISCOVERY and I dare say that these enterprising young researchers have just put themselves in line for an Ig Nobel.